‘Love Jehad’ is the new technique, says a grave-looking Chandra Mohan Sharma. But it is a ‘difficult art’, picked only after ‘madrasa-conducted training.’

“First, good-looking Muslim men are identified. They are given neutral names like Sonu and Raju.” These boys, Mr. Sharma says, are then given jeans, t-shirts, mobiles, and bikes and taught to behave. “They stand in front of schools and colleges and woo young Hindu girls. The first few times, our girls snub them.” But then, he says resignedly, they fall for it. “This jehad is about pyar se fasana – entrapment through love.”

The bespectacled joint general-secretary of the Meerut division of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), ‘which covers all of western U.P.’, he points out with a wee bit of pride, is wearing a grey safari-suit. We are sitting in a small office next to the Khatauli railway station, off the main highway, in Muzaffarnagar district late on Tuesday afternoon.

Being the protector

“Look at police records. Out of 100 girls who elope, 95 are Hindus who go with Muslim men. It is rare that Hindu boys get Muslim girls.” This, the VHP leader says conclusively, is proof of a conspiracy to ‘expand Muslim population, using Hindu girls as machines. We need to protect the honour of our daughters, bahu aur beti’.

Ignore this as meaningless rant at your own peril, for Mr. Sharma was at the “mahapanchayat” on Saturday. The protection of ‘our women’ was the common theme in many speeches, as video recordings of the event, shown to The Hindu, reveal. There is now recognition that this event added to the agitational mood, added to the insecurity, and eventually led to clashes and violence.

“On August 27, a Muslim boy teased a Hindu girl,” Mr. Sharma resumes, “and that is the root of the tensions. Tell me, which brother can accept this?” While this is now a widely accepted version of the trigger for the violence, Muslim elders in Muzaffarnagar town dispute it and insist that it was motor-cycles colliding that provoked the initial fight between young men. The fight was later given a communal colour.

Playing the victim

The patriarchal narrative, which dominates conversations with Hindu extremists across towns of western U.P, is then seamlessly linked to the narrative of victimhood.

A narrow alley off the Surajkund Road in Meerut leads up to the Bharat Mata Mandir. On the first floor lives Sudarshan, VHP’s regional organisation secretary. It is early morning. A plump man, he first reads the local editions of Dainik Jagran and Amar Ujala, puts up news clippings on his Facebook page, brushes his beard with a comb after a bath, and then turns to have a conversation.

“At each instance, this government has batted for Muslims. In the first FIR, why were parents of the Hindu boys who were killed named as culprits? They were not even present. Our simple demands were unheard,” he says.

Mr. Sudarshan insinuates that when Muslims ‘first attacked’ Hindus after the panchayat, the latter had sought police protection but were rebuffed. He reels off six incidents from the neighbouring Shamli district, where he alleged that a Muslim police official was ‘partial.’ “He even said he was a Muslim first and an IPS later. The government – led by Azam Khan – patronises such people.”

“Like in Kashmir, Muslims want to take over the State. They want to take over Hindu property, and Hindu women through love jehad,” he says.

With the State government asserting that Hindu extremists had circulated a fake video to depict the August 27 incident in order to inflame Hindu passions, Mr. Singh turns it around. “Muslims had circulated it because they wanted to spread panic, fear, so that like Kashmiri Pandits, we would leave our homes.”

Politics of aggression

Mr. Sudarshan says that what happened after the mahapanchayat “was a Godhra.” “And what has happened after that is the reaction on the lines of post-Godhra in Gujarat. Hindus did not sit back.” The Bajrang Dal leader, who has traces of a red tika on his forehead, then says, “Victory will be ours. The Sangh’s work is to unite Hindus, to protect our temples, women, cows, Ganga, our religion.”

Reminiscent of Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s speech in Goa in 2002, soon after the Gujarat riots, where the then Prime Minister had said Muslims tend ‘not to live in coexistence with others,’ Mr. Singh said, “If out of 10 people, I have fights with eight, the problem is with me. Why is it that Muslims fight with Jats, Gujjars, Dalits, Brahmans, Thakurs, and Kuswahas? Why can’t they live in peace?”

But it is here, with the reference to castes, that the politics behind the riots slowly reveals itself.

One Sangh activist, who insisted on being anonymous, told The Hindu, “For the first time, Jats and Muslims are fighting each other. This is a great achievement. Jats have begun thinking like Hindus first. If more Hindu castes fight with Muslims, it will be better for us. BJP will benefit.” Muslims, this activist added, needed to be ‘taught a lesson, for they thought they ruled U.P. under Mulayam.’

Mr. Singh offers a candid take. ‘To save your caste, you have to save your religion first. This message has gone out. This has happened for the first time in many years.”

But while the broader Sangh Parivar is keen to project itself as the protector of Hindus in general, and Jats in particular, against Muslims, they are ambivalent about taking full credit, perhaps in a bid to escape culpability.

Mr. Sharma in Khatauli says, “It is natural that we are involved since we talk about Hindu rights. But the Sangh does not have shakhas in all villages in the district; our organisation is weak. This is a spontaneous upsurge.” Other political leaders, however, rubbish the suggestion that over a lakh could congregate for a meeting without organisational support.

Gujrat is the best example for all states in India where No riots after 2002 how Mr. Modi tackled to take state towards peace its miracle in indian history as well as maintained growth of Gujrat on No.1 position, Its time to reconsider to indian and boycott like Samajwadi Party which plays communal cards. UP is the biggest state of india and home ground of all Gandhi's but in terms of development UP is much far than others, lots of example for backwardness of Major player like UP of indian politics.

from:
Pankaj Dhamija

Posted on: Sep 12, 2013 at 11:35 IST

Wonder when this country would be rid of such patriarchy. Such fundamentalists across all religions are just plainly obsessed with sex, virginity and abortion. Why can't a woman have the right to decide what she wants to do with her private life? Why does she need to be 'protected' as if she is a property?

from:
Satty

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 21:57 IST

At a time when the country is facing lot of problems,it is the duty of all to ensure communal harmony.All responsible for Muzaffarnagar violence should be condemned in strong words.Partisan attitude by media will erode credibility and exacerbate the situation.If we put together all the available data,it is clear that almost all political parties are exploiting the situation.Media should report without any bias.

from:
S.Srinivasan

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 19:04 IST

The people who have been affected are the poor - both Hindus and Muslims. They have become pawns in the vote bank politics played by political parties and the media that publishes distorted reports.

from:
krishna

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 18:18 IST

Madrasa is a religious place where islamic faith is taught to children and adults. It is a gross lie from this sick minded VHP Leader chandra mohan sharma. As a matter of fact leaders like him are the reason we have the current pathetic state of affairs in India.

Let me ask you readers, what contribution does a guy like him give to our society other than violence, riots, corruption etc...Besides he is justfying what happened in Muzaffarnagar saying that "This is a great achievement. Jats have begun thinking like Hindus first. If more Hindu castes fight with Muslims, it will be better for us. BJP will benefit.”

An eve teasing case has been converted by this BJP and VHP guys to a communial riot. Now, they are blaming the Mulayam government saying they are protecting muslims.

Speaking of deeper conspiracy what seems to me is a deeper conspiracy and a revenge from BJP and VHP for not allowing them to do the 84 kos yatra by the Mulayam government.

from:
Ajnabee

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 17:50 IST

Being an Indian muslim I can only laugh at this article.These people, of roadside politics, who don't no anything about Islam are talking about jihaad. Actually,what is common about these people is they are unemployed, rejected people of society having lots of free time and are passing there time by playing hindu-muslim game. These people called themselves saviour of Islam or saviour of Sanaatan dharma.Grow up, you burden on Earth.

from:
Tanveer

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 16:12 IST

Fighting in the name of religion is meaningless. We all humans have evolved from common ancestor, since we have 99.9 percent of same genetic material. Religion is the solution to the rational mind which cannot attribute reason, as some things are still not unraveled. Religion will get diluted as years go on. Earlier religion was considered so serious, but, now many in the world have lost faith in religion, as science revealed many things, we are all brothers and sisters let us like a legend and not like cowards.

from:
karthik

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 15:02 IST

In 10 years of BJP rule in Gujarat there is not a single reported incident of communal riot. Whereas in 1.25 years of SP rule in UP a 100 (one hundred) riots have already taken place. Is this what secularism been reduced to? Minority appeasement? The Hindu deserves to be lauded for publishing such a bold and explosive story on front page. Whatever Prashant Jha has alleged about the Sangh spinning stories are actually true stories. If we do not want UP to become the next J&K then it is time all nationalist thinking people should start taking these threats from anti-national forces very seriously. Otherwise sanantana dharma will be vanquished by the turn of the 21st century.

from:
P R Vinod

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 14:16 IST

The author has hit the nail in the head when he says "the patriarchial narratve is linked seamlessly with the narratve of victimhood".It is difficult to imagine that there is no politics involved in this incident.All this is being done keeping in mind the 2014 elections.But I am sure in 2013 the public can understand this and resist polarisation
and teach the parties a lesson in the elections.

from:
Anup

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 14:14 IST

Very well educated and high profile Hindu girls have fallen in love with muslim boys and married them. I can give you the example of Suhashini Haider and Lakshmi Nizamuddin. They knew what they were doing and they are succuessful in their lives. Please stop casting aspersions on genuine love.

from:
shankar

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 14:11 IST

There have been more than 40 plus communal riots in UP since the Samajvadi Government came to power. Blaming the BJP is the easy solution to this and does not serve the purpose. If at all the party is indeed responsible, what stopped the UP Government from punishing these BJP people? Are they responsible for all the 40 plus communal incidents since Mr.Akhilesh came to power? Lets get realistic.
Mr.Yadav sported a skull cap when he addressed the media when the riots were rampaging. What was he trying to prove? As a devout Muslim and a proud Indian let me tell you Mr.Yadav - you have tasted power because of the mandate given to you by the Muslim community. Engaging in tokenism does not give us any solace. Take concrete action and if you did so earlier, all the 40 riots that took place could have been prevented. The tokenism may have worked earlier but the Muslims of today are an educated, reasonable lot. Act decisively.

from:
Rasul Sheik Muhammad

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 14:04 IST

Everyone wants a peaceful life and I do agree that some people are just using this incidence of M. Nagar as Political issue.

Everyone should respect human life,culture,religion and many people has forgotten this fact of life.

from:
Sanjay Vijay Singh

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 13:37 IST

This article is exhibit A or the low standards of Indian media. Here is why. The reporter outlines a lot of facts that were told by the local people to him. However, the reporter spins to imply that all these facts are propaganda. Now, if he had done any investigation and came up with any evidence that this was indeed propaganda the article would make sense. As it stands, it just seems like the reporter did not want to believe one set of things and came with a fixed mindset about what had actually happened. Too bad, because there is no credible reason for the readers to disbelieve what the locals told your reporter. No, being a Hindu sympathizer doesn't disqualify everything that you say.

from:
Ankan Kumar

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 13:26 IST

Same stories were narrated in Mangalore. It was claimed that Muslim boys rape Hindu girls in the name of love jihad. Please check the rape incident of Manipal student few weeks back. You will find the truth. It is really surprising that news papers like "The Hindu" is publishing such articles.

from:
Syed

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 13:18 IST

I heard a hindi proverb in a news channel recently.. It goes like this - Do bandaron ki ladayi mein roti hamesha billi ko milti hain.The same is true for our brothers out there who are busy fighting and giving these over educated politicians a chance to make their place in 2014.

But I sincerely feel pity for such people and their stale mindset who are hellbent on taking our countrymen for a ride in the name of religion. These politicians themselves do not follow the first basic law of any religion i.e love and respect humanity. I hope that this "love jihad" thought does not percolate down to other sections as desired by our RESPECTED LEADERS. Moreover, continuously branding a particular community has already done so much damage. Muslims do not get houses on rent, are treated differently just for their attire and earned the name of terrorists.Unfortunately, there are the maoists who are termed as insurgents but not terrorists.. may be thats reserved for Muslims.

from:
Shirin

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 13:14 IST

No riot is ever one sided. People from both sides of the divide have a role to play in this. But, when National Dailies like The Hindu take a one-sided look on the matter, it only re-inforces the logic that Hindus are presumed to be guilty even though they suffer equally in such violences. The Kashmir valley was ethnically cleansed of Hindus and the Kashmiri Pundits are still living like refugees in their own country even after 2 decades. How many Human Rights groups take up their cause? The 59 karsevaks who were burnt in the Sabarmati Express triggering the communal violence in 2002 are mentioned no where by the psudo-seculars when 2002 is discussed. So, the write up by The Hindu is a systematic way of cooking up a propaganda that Hindus targetted Muslims in Muzaffarnagar while the fact remains that the origin of the troubles is yet to be ascertained. This is yellow journalism at its best and a repetition of the same propaganda machinery to malign Hindus in general.

from:
Abhisek

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 12:56 IST

"Love Jihad" is a hate campaign sponsored by sangh parivar groups. Some cases of inter religious love marriages were referred as evidences of love jihad & case was filed in Kerala. But the court couldn't find any evidences of such "love Jihad" & the court suspected that there are efforts to spread hatred against a religion with this term of "love jihad". With the facts behind the ‘Love Jihad’ finally being officially out, as the cyber cell of Kerala police have now registered cases against the hate campaign organised by 'Hindu Janajagruti Samiti' through its website. Cyber cell with the help of cyber forensic department have started probing into the details regarding the activities of the website and the ones behind it. Inter religious marriages happen occasionally though none of the religious groups support it.

from:
Muhammed Shafi

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 12:53 IST

First of all, I did not expect this article in The Hindu because of its factual errors. Jihad-al-Akbar i.e. the greater jihad is that fighting against one's own self to lead a life of high morale that includes lowering gazes and not staring/looking at non-mahrem (non blood relative) women. So, in that case, the so called 'love jihad' by VHP is against Sharia and against the teachings of Al Qur'an. What say you?

from:
Haneef

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 12:39 IST

The sad truth is that people seem to believe such 'jihad' stories. Once a friend was telling me that Police regularly take bribes from thiefs and pickpockets though he had no evidence to prove it. But people believe such lies about Police corruption. Why? Police have lost the trust of the people. This is the case of Muslims. They have lost the trust of their neighbours. Pity. Hope in future the situation might improve.

from:
seetharaman

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 12:22 IST

Hilarious! when did these people start cracking the (poor)jokes? Mr. Sharma, people of the nation are not fools to believe such dirty stories. And, the girls are mature enough to decide whom to love and not to love and they are also wise enough to understand your LokSabha 'politricks'.

from:
isthi

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 12:10 IST

Unbelievable! I don't know how someone can come up with such a theory. It is surely shameless at best. But, let us for once, consider the possibility that the above hypothesis is true. What is the solution then? Lynching? Communal Clashes? Law and Order destruction? or is it education? nutrition? freedom? It's sad that the Sangh parivar, which was created to protect Hinduism is now set to destroy it. I feel ashamed when people of my own faith resort to such brutality and blatant accusations. There are bigger problems out there than religion and love entrapment. If the sangh parivar and the BJP really care about it, I hope that they will lift their hands to build rather than break!

from:
bharath

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 11:49 IST

It is amazing that in the year 2013 we still have leaders who want to protect their women from Muslim men. India is a secular state and every man and woman has a right to choose their partners. By saying that Muslim men are eve teasing, does the leader mean that Hindu men refrain from eve teasing completely. Eve-teasing is pervasive throughout our country and is not limited by caste, religion or age. It's sad to see that we are still focusing on issues of religion as we had 50 years ago. There are more daunting tasks that the people of this nation need to focus on such as improving the education and health care system, providing better services to the old, disabled and poor and above all allowing a woman to decide her future. Let's leave this pointless debate about hindu-muslim rhetoric and move on!!

from:
Johny

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 11:41 IST

Mr. Jha, why can't you report impartially. You just brush aside everything said by your interviewees, calling it a spin, rant or insinuation. You do not try to offer any facts or arguments(at least the VHP leader gave some statistic (95 out of 100)). What makes you so sure that nothing that has been said by 'Hindu' (pun intended) can be true and you can discard it Prima Facie without any explanation. Whoa.. you are secular, right!

from:
Atif Aslam

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 11:28 IST

"Love Jihad " looks like a fictitious word.
As it claimed by a sangh activist as per the article, it is totally agains the teaching In Madarsa
1. Madarsa, always teaches to have Islamic name not as Raju, Monu, Sonu etc..
2. Madarsa encourages loose dress like Kurta payejam, Salwar, not suit or jeans
3. Yes, Madarsa encourages to behave properly to any fellow citizens.
4. Madarsa always discourages to have lavish life , having fancy mobile, bikes etc.
There is nothing like "Love Jihad' exists. Initially it has been >spreaded in Kerala and Dakshin Karnataka by Sangh activist, it has failed to prove, Now they are spreading it to teach hatred among the communities in UP.
All indian should live in peace and destroy the extremists.

from:
Abdullah

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 11:06 IST

Talking about jeans and t-shirts has an eerie resemblance to some statements made by a political leader of Tamil Nadu last December to reporters! From the comment of the person interviewed, if the aim is to save caste, ie caste system, ie caste hierarchy, then it is natural to conclude that this will result in a type of feudalism where each person will be given rights and responsibilities according to his caste, taking India back to the past.

from:
Raj

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:57 IST

VHP has the valid reason , some one may call this as a saffron terror but the fact it that he is speaking the truth , we can see numerous cases of love jihad all over india, and unfortunately the administration is not acting appropriately , just to woo the minorities , but this is the beginning, if this issue is not handled properly this will have effects all over India.

from:
Avinash

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:50 IST

Before Hindus or Muslims or any religion we are Human beings...All these regions,castes came after long time,and are man-created while he was bored in free time after work(hunting,gathering or farming)...
But now we have to spend on an average 20 years in study. And job/business from tough competition. So at least in this times forget all this trash, and live peacefully.
All human beings once upon time, were came from same parents. All we are having brotherhood. All world should leave this feeling of religion,castes etc. and may be statuary way.
Don't see my name, I am not hindu or muslim or chrsitian I am INDIAN, morover I am Human.If we tell more I am another animal on this planet.

from:
SREENIVASA PAIDALA

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:44 IST

Its really pathetic when human beings fight in the name of caste and religion.How long are we gonna live in this world?Have anyone thought about it?We need to live in harmony to be successful in life.

from:
Mohammed

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:43 IST

The article itself looks like presenting rumor. Heard than going in detail to do required reserch. Only references to what different people had to say. What ever the intention of article it brought out the concerns of the people Good that atleast TheHindu unlike other publications decided to break silence and present some info on the incident

from:
Chandra

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:40 IST

The tone, line of argument, the conspiracy theory, and the incidents that supposedly provoked the events that followed, all have an amazingly familiar ring to recent events in Tamilnadu. Only that in TN it wasn't religion but caste hierarchy that segmented groups.

from:
subramaniam

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:38 IST

Since i heard of these riots,Whenever i read any news paper or watch news channel they show stories and pictures of Muslims only,which gives impression that only Muslims are being targeted in these riot.Still confused why cant media dare to speak the truth on what happened. ...........this is the first instance,i read the article of a brave person (Mr. Prashant Jha) among the timids.

from:
alok

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:29 IST

With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

- Steven Weinberg,
( US Physicist )

from:
Nitin

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:24 IST

Perhaps the writer is unaware of grass root politics of Jats. They are not bound to any other organisation except their Khap panchayats. The sermons from Khaps is the rule and thats what decides the direction of Jatland politics. Even CM of Haryana can not do anything in this matter. In Haryana, Jats are agitating for reservation and its gaining strength only because of Khap panchayats.
So, the writer of article is right that lakhs can not congragate without the support of organisation, but that organisation is not Sangh, but its Khaps. Also, the writer should give some time in researching the Madrasa politics where hate speeches are given and young boys are taught to hate non-muslims. They are not taught holy Quran or Muhammad Saheb, but the maulavis propagate the hate agenda.

from:
Arun Sharma

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 10:23 IST

Very worrying. Typical propaganda of the right leading to mindless violence. No sane individual would fall for this rhetoric of 'love jihad' and 'our women'. Hope it is not 1991 all over again. The sad reality is that bigotry, intolerance, hatred can win you votes in this country when opinions are polarized for political gains. A feudal caste hierarchy with communal tensions is a dangerous cocktail. Vested elements foment trouble between groups and reap the benefits.

from:
Gautam

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 09:57 IST

How easily do people fall! Politicians deserve their time. No one is to blame, while everyone is to blame. But then I am not from UP and I dont know the ground situation there. Even if I go there for a couple of days or a week I cannot say that this is happening there. But all I can say is its unfortunate that people fail to use their most important organ, that is the brain. As it is repeatedly told, what is to happen will happen and no one can stop it.

from:
Ramachandra

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 09:49 IST

the author has conveniently forgotten that writing an article is one thing, but local perceptions and ground realities are another thing. The overwhelming perception (may be right or wrong) is that the UP govt overplayed its minority card so much so that the present sad chain of incidents was a spontaneous reaction to such lopsided politics. Hope our so called "secular" UPA realise their mistake of pushing such lopsided perceptions into the national mindset.

from:
hari kurup

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 09:39 IST

It would be more informative if both sides of the coin are represented in such articles. After all, it takes two hands to clap.

from:
Gyan Chandra Yadav

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 09:38 IST

People may disagree but, Love Jihad is a fact. Special training is given to Muslim boys to trap innocent young Hindu girls. Muslim girls develop friend ship with Hindu girls acts as catalysts and help Muslim boys to trap Hindu girls. This Love Jihad is successful in Kerala and coastal Karnataka. This started about 15 years back and spreading very fast. If we don't arrest this,it will lead to very big civil war and 1947 will repeat. You may call me "a Hindu Fanatic"but, that will not save you!!

from:
C S Sundaresha

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 09:13 IST

The claims made by the Sangh may be true or false that the Madrasas are deputing good looking Muslim youths to woo Hindu girls; but this reporting (not an opinion) of Prashant Jha by using the term 'spin' in its caption gives a positive suggestion, that the Sangh is spreading false propaganda. To be fair to both the communities, at the most he can only report what is stated by the Sangh and not qualify it with what he thinks is the truth. Let the readers take their own call. This is how media by giving their own interpretation, ' spin' in this occasion, create more problems and fuel the fire.

from:
M.R.Sampath

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 08:56 IST

If one where to critically analyse the thoughts expressed by the so called leaders, there are a few which one tends to agree and a few others which are a front to cover up deficiencies.
The concept and status of minority, just as in the case of reservations, has led to lending a separate identity which inhibits integration into the main stream.

Having spent the best part of my life in Hyderabad, I can vouch that Mr. Vajpayee was dot on target - generally Muslims tend NOT to live in co-existence with others. In the same breathe I can also say that when they do so, they make the best of friends.

Love jihad, if one exists, succeeds due to discrimination practiced by Hindus. Instead of blaming others, let the Hindus first take care of their girls and make them feel wanted and loved.
yatra nāryastu pūjyante ramante tatra devatāḥ|
yatraitāstu na pūjyante sarvāstatrāphalāḥ kriyāḥ

from:
V J Menon

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 08:45 IST

I appreciate giving this information secondly I don't think that hindu women our fools. But the reporting about the matter could have been more substantiative if more data was given from Merrut/Mujaffarnagar police records. Such reporting is useless and tells me reporter had not done his job properly. Please provide a better report next time Mr Jha.

from:
Chakra Jamdagneya

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 08:32 IST

It is such a shame that we Indians, who talk about secularism and boast of "Unity in diversity", fight with each other like beasts.We look down at countries which are not secular say Pakistan but have we ever tried to introspect what kind of country India is or has become?
There have been so many clashes mostly between these 2 communities in the past and i am pretty sure more violence is there to come in the near future.I simply don't understand what do we get by killing each other?We all are brothers and should live in harmony with each other.BUT ALAS!Even after so many years of independence, we still fight and are ready to kill each other.Love and peace have been replaced by hatred and violence. Are we really independent?Have we lost the character which once was the pride of Indians?

from:
himanshu khandelwal

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 08:15 IST

Hi,
Sounds like Dr. Ramadas version and really what is happening here in our country ?

from:
V. Veethividangan

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 08:13 IST

Is this stupid thinking and rationalism because of being illiterate? I am not really sure now. 70% of Indians are youth and middle aged, so do we need to wait for another generation hoping for open-mindedness.

from:
santosh

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 07:10 IST

Don't think this type of religious rant and communal polarization is acceptable in this day and age. Need to de-link religion from the politics. How can any political party whether belonging to Hindus, Muslims or Christians use religion, divide people, create communal riots just to grab power? Shame on us.

from:
Hakeem Baig

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 06:57 IST

We Indian are proud to say that we are united in protecting the national interests, irrespective of adopting different religions and hail from different castes. For controlling our population also we should have a National Policy - irrespective of religions. One nation, one policy for all citizens - since we consider all equal and we are all brothers. We need to frame a common policy for all.

from:
Gnanam

Posted on: Sep 11, 2013 at 06:37 IST

If one were to follow Dr.Subramaniam Swamy's argument that all Muslims and Christians of India were originally Hindus, it shouldn't matter that Muslim boys are entrapping Hindu girls, for we're all of the same DNA markup. Then again, threads of logic and rationalism is not part of the VHP policy fabric. I look forward to seeing Dr.Swamy's response to this.